Method of manufacturing frame unit, method of manufacturing image carrying unit, method of manufacturing cartridge, and cartridge

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a frame unit from a first unit. The first unit includes a first image carrying member, a supporting member supporting the first image carrying member, and a frame to which the supporting member is adhered. The first image carrying member includes a first edge portion member, and the first edge portion member includes a first restricted portion. The supporting member includes a bearing engaging with the first edge portion member so that the first image carrying member is rotatable about a rotational axis. The frame includes a first restricting portion restricting movement of the first image carrying member. The method includes separating in which the first image carrying member is separated from the supporting member while in a state in which the supporting member is adhered to the frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a frame unit from a first unit, in which
 the first unit comprises, 
 a first image carrying member that is configured to carry an electrostatic latent image, wherein the first image carrying member includes a first edge portion member, and the first edge portion member includes a first restricted portion, 
 a supporting member that supports the first image carrying member, wherein the supporting member includes a bearing that is configured to engage with the first edge portion member so that the first image carrying member is rotatable about a rotational axis, and 
 a frame to which the supporting member is adhered, the frame including a first end portion to which the supporting member is fixed, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in a direction of the rotational axis, a first restricting portion that is configured to restrict movement of the first image carrying member, wherein in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis, the first restricting portion protrudes towards the first image carrying member, and 
 the first restricting portion is configured to abut against the first restricted portion if the first restricted portion is moved towards the second end portion from the first end portion in the direction of the rotational axis, 
 wherein with respect to the direction of the rotational axis, a position of the first restricting portion and a position of the bearing overlap each other at least partially, and 
 wherein when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis, the first restricting portion is arranged to overlap a first circle drawn by the first restricted portion if the first image carrying member is rotated about the rotational axis, 
 the method of manufacturing the frame unit from the first unit comprising: 
 a separating step in which the first image carrying member is separated from the supporting member while the supporting member is adhered to the frame. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of manufacturing a frame unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a height reducing step in which a height of the first restricting portion is reduced in the direction orthogonal to the rotational axis. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of manufacturing a frame unit according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the height reducing step includes removal of at least a portion of the first restricting portion. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of manufacturing a frame unit according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the portion of the first restricting portion is removed such that the first restricting portion is located outside the first circle when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of manufacturing a frame unit according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the height reducing step includes deforming the first restricting portion. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of manufacturing a frame unit according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the first restricting portion is deformed so that the first restricting portion is located outside the first circle when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis. 
 
     
     
       7. A method of manufacturing an image carrying unit comprising:
 an attaching step in which the first image carrying member or a second image carrying member that is configured to carry an electrostatic latent image is attached to the frame unit manufactured with the method of manufacturing according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein the first image carrying member or the second image carrying member is supported by the supporting member. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a step of forming a second restricting portion, 
 wherein the second restricting portion is configured to restrict movement of the first image carrying member or the second image carrying member if the first image carrying member or the second image carrying member is moved towards the second end portion from the first end portion. 
 
     
     
       9. A method of manufacturing a cartridge attachable to an image forming apparatus, the method of manufacturing a cartridge comprising:
 a joining step in which a developing unit that contains developer is joined to an image carrying unit that is manufactured with the method of manufacturing according to  claim 7 . 
 
     
     
       10. A method of manufacturing an image carrying unit comprising:
 an attaching step in which the first image carrying member or a second image carrying member that is configured to carry an electrostatic latent image is attached to the frame unit manufactured with the method of manufacturing according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the first image carrying member or the second image carrying member is supported by the supporting member. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a step of forming a second restricting portion, 
 wherein the second restricting portion is configured to restrict movement of the first image carrying member or the second image carrying member if the first image carrying member or the second image carrying member is moved towards the second end portion from the first end portion in the direction of the rotational axis. 
 
     
     
       12. A method of manufacturing a cartridge attachable to an image forming apparatus, the method of manufacturing a cartridge comprising:
 a joining step in which a developing unit that contains developer is joined to an image carrying unit that is manufactured with the method of manufacturing according to  claim 10 . 
 
     
     
       13. A method of manufacturing an image carrying unit, comprising:
 an attaching step in which a second image carrying member configured to carry an electrostatic latent image is attached to the frame unit manufactured with the method of manufacturing according to  claim 1 , wherein the second image carrying member is supported by the supporting member, and the second image carrying member includes a second edge portion member, 
 wherein a second circle drawn by the second edge portion member if the second image carrying member is rotated about the rotational axis is smaller than the first circle. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the first restricting portion is located outside the second circle when viewed in a direction of the rotational axis. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a step of manufacturing the second edge portion member from the first edge portion member by removing at least a portion of the first restricted portion. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a step of forming a second restricting portion, 
 wherein the second restricting portion is configured to restrict movement of the first image carrying member or the second image carrying member if the second image carrying member is moved towards the second end portion from the first end portion. 
 
     
     
       17. A method of manufacturing a cartridge attachable to an image forming apparatus, the method of manufacturing a cartridge comprising:
 a joining step in which a developing unit that contains developer is joined to an image carrying unit that is manufactured with the method of manufacturing according to  claim 13 . 
 
     
     
       18. A method of manufacturing an image carrying unit, comprising:
 an attaching step in which a second image carrying member configured to carry an electrostatic latent image is attached to the frame unit manufactured with the method of manufacturing according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the second image carrying member is supported by the supporting member, the second image carrying member includes a second edge portion member, the second edge portion member includes a second restricted portion which includes a recessed portion recessed towards a rotational axis, 
 wherein when viewed in a direction of the rotational axis, a second circle drawn by the second restricted portion if the second image carrying member is rotated about the rotational axis and the first restricting portion overlap each other, and 
 wherein a third circle drawn by the recessed portion if the second image carrying member is rotated about the rotational axis is located inside the first circle. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein in a rotation direction of the second image carrying member, a length of the recessed portion is longer than a length of the first restricting portion. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein the first restricting portion is located outside the third circle when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a step of manufacturing the second edge portion member from the first edge portion member by removing at least a portion of the first restricted portion. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a step of forming a second restricting portion, 
 wherein the second restricting portion is configured to restrict movement of the first image carrying member or the second image carrying member if the second image carrying member is moved towards the second end portion from the first end portion. 
 
     
     
       23. A method of manufacturing a cartridge attachable to an image forming apparatus, the method of manufacturing a cartridge comprising:
 a joining step in which a developing unit that contains developer is joined to an image carrying unit that is manufactured with the method of manufacturing according to  claim 18 . 
 
     
     
       24. A cartridge attachable to an image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising:
 an image carrying member that is configured to carry an electrostatic latent image, wherein the image carrying member includes an edge portion member, and the edge portion member includes a restricted portion; 
 a supporting member that supports the image carrying member, wherein the supporting member includes a bearing that is configured to engage with the edge portion member so that the image carrying member is rotatable about a rotational axis; 
 a frame to which the supporting member is fixed, the frame including a first end portion to which the supporting member is fixed, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in a direction of the rotational axis, a restricting portion that is configured to restrict movement of the image carrying member, wherein in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis, the restricting portion protrudes towards the image carrying member, and wherein the restricting portion is configured to abut against the restricted portion if the restricted portion is moved towards the second end portion from the first end portion in the direction of the rotational axis; and 
 a developing unit configured to hold a developer carrying member for supply of developer to the image carrying member, 
 wherein a recessed portion recessed towards the rotational axis is formed in the restricted portion, and 
 wherein when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis, the restricting portion overlaps a first circle drawn by the restricted portion if the image carrying member is rotated about the rotational axis, and a circle drawn by the recessed portion if the image carrying member is rotated about the rotational axis is located inside the first circle. 
 
     
     
       25. The cartridge according to  claim 24 ,
 wherein in a rotation direction of the image carrying member, a length of the recessed portion is longer than a length of the restricting portion. 
 
     
     
       26. The cartridge according to  claim 24 ,
 wherein when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis, the restricting portion is located outside a circle drawn by the recessed portion when the image carrying member rotates.